The Great Trigonometrical Survey An Extraordinary, 19th Century Scientific Feat
Details
Aug 12 2025 to Aug 12 2025 6:30 p.m.
Where
Bangalore International Centre
7 4th Main Rd, Stage 2, Domlur 560071
Event Description
A scientific quest, a vast subcontinent and an imperial impulse.
The Great Trigonometrical Survey combined all these, resulting in one of the most astounding projects in the history of science. This talk by writer, Meera Iyer takes you through the GTS story, beginning with its origins in Bangalore and going all the way to the Himalayas. The intrepid surveyors handled devilishly delicate instruments, braved the monsoons, fell prey to disease, all in their quest for inch-perfect maps. Besides some of the most famous people in the GTS including William Lambton and George Everest, the talk will also speak about some of the forgotten Indians who were a part of this extraordinary work, and the relevance of the GTS today.
A Q&A with the audience will follow.
Speaker
Meera Iyer
Writer
Meera Iyer is a writer, independent researcher, and the Convenor of the Bengaluru Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH). She is the author of the popular book Discovering Bengaluru: History. Neighbourhoods. Walks (October 2019). She co-authored the Nomination Dossier to have the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. She has been a columnist with the Deccan Herald and has written numerous articles on history, heritage and culture in this and other publications, including Seminar, The Hindu, Indian Express and Mint. Meera has a PhD in Forest Ecology from Michigan State University. She loves coffee, dark chocolate, and potsherds.
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